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Touring In Europe - Safety Tips

     
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Trust your instincts. When someone offers you help, look at the offer with a critical eye. If you need help with anything, then go to the tourist agency, police or other established agency. They're there to do exactly that - help you - without hidden agendas. Remember that travelling is physically demanding, and you may be more vulnerable than you think so it's important that you simply adopt travelling safety standards and stick to them no matter what.

Try to keep a strong, positive attitude. Blend in as much as possible (don’t wear stuff that makes you look like a "tourist."). Don’t wear flashy or popular brand-name clothes when travelling from city to city. This may attract unwanted attention.

Keep your passport, money and other valuables in a small pouch that is tucked into your jeans or under your shirt. No outside purses or bum bags - thieves will cut the strap, grab it and run! Don’t take your hidden satchel off, ever! Take it to the showers! Sleep with it!

Stay away from subways when performing. While subway busking is popular in some major cities such as Paris and Vienna, most cities have laws against live music performance in enclosed trains and walkway areas. Some buskers do it, but at a risk. So while you may wish to set up in a locale where the pedestrian traffic abounds, don’t be surprised if the local constabulary asks you to leave. Also, keep you eye on your change hat. Gypsy kids will grab it and run onto the train with it.

Ignore all stares, comments, and gestures from strangers. Avoid eye contact, and keep moving. Yell "Basta!" (Enough!) if someone is following or harassing you.

Always find a safe place to sleep. If you sleep in train stations or any other open areas, when you wake up you’ll most certainly find that you've been thoroughly ripped-off.

Never stay in an empty train carriage. Thieves will come in while you’re sleeping and rip you off.

Avoid groups of kids - they’re professional rip-off artists. They’ll surround you and pick you clean.

If you’re a solo performer, stop your performances at 9:00 PM. This will give you enough time to get your things together, and to travel back to your hotel/hostel before they lock-up for the night (usually 11:00pm).

Keep a separate copy of all your important documents (passport, credit card, driving licence, student ID, hostel card), traveller's cheque numbers and contact phone numbers in another location so you'll have an easier time trying to get them cancelled and replaced if they're lost or stolen.

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